The Northern Regional Directorate of the National Youth Authority (NYA) has launched this year’s Youth Month celebrations with a cleanup exercise in the Tamale Metropolis aimed at promoting environmental sanitation and volunteerism among young people.
Speaking at the launch, the Northern Regional Director of the National Youth Authority, Mr. Amankna Ampofo, said August has been designated as Youth Month to celebrate the contributions of young people across the country, with activities culminating in the observance of International Youth Day on August 12.
He explained that this year’s celebrations have been decentralized to enable every region to actively participate in the programme.
Mr. Ampofo noted that the Tamale launch, which featured a cleanup exercise, aligns with the President’s national sanitation initiative while encouraging volunteerism, patriotism and community service among the youth.
He stressed that young people have a responsibility to contribute to national development by keeping their communities clean, adding that Ghana’s future depends on the active participation and commitment of its youth.
According to him, the cleanup exercise also serves as a precursor to a major national youth gathering scheduled to take place from August 10 to 13.
The cleanup covered key areas of the Tamale Metropolis, including Jubilee Park, the Roundabout, the Traffic Area and the MTN area, with participants working to improve sanitation in the city.
A representative of the National Youth Authority and member of the Youth Parliament in the Sagnarigu District, Tidoo Ruhiya, said the exercise was intended to promote environmental cleanliness and raise awareness about proper waste disposal.
She emphasized that “cleanliness is next to godliness” and urged young people to take responsibility for keeping their surroundings clean to help prevent disease outbreaks.
Ms. Ruhiya cited the effects of poor sanitation and improper waste management during flooding incidents in Accra as a reminder of the importance of maintaining clean environments, calling on the public to dispose of waste responsibly to safeguard public health.
Source:Fiilafmonline/Walkiyatu Issahaku
